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Pregame Skate: WPG @ BOS

by
Caryn Switaj
/ Boston Bruins

Boston, MA — The main question posed heading into the 2012-13 season was whether the Bruins — and the other 29 teams around the league — would show signs of rust, having not played NHL games for nearly nine months.

Following the B’s 3-1 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday and heading into today’s 1 p.m. matinee against Winnipeg, the prominent question mark is whether they Black & Gold can now build upon what gained them the two points and maintain their legs as the season progresses.

“We had a good first game and we just have to make sure to bring the same enthusiasm,” defenseman Johnny Boychuk prior to Monday’s game. “Hopefully the legs just didn’t do it for one game, we have to do it for the whole season.”

The Black & Gold head into Monday with a perfect 1-0 record, while the Jets are coming off a 4-1 loss to Ottawa in their home opener on Saturday, and will be hungry to redeem themselves. Although it’s only one win under their belt, Brad Marchand likes the confidence it gave his teammates.

“It definitely makes things a little easier,” Marchand told media pregame today gathered outside the locker room, in reference to the victory over the Rangers. “The first one was definitely a little nerve racking, didn’t know what to expect, how guys were going to react after being out for so long.”

“We’re feeling good and everyone’s confident. We just have to keep rolling.”

Marchand added that the he and the B’s have taken notice of how important each game’s outcome will be to securing a playoff spot.

“You can feel it all around the league,” said the forward. “The season’s cut in half and you really can’t go in to any kind of a slump and everyone’s watching around.”

“Different teams are already taking a big step forward, winning a couple game.s That’s what you have to do, get on a roll and make sure you secure a spot early on in the season.”